Pawlenty gets a double-dose of good news

He was elected vice-chairman of a GOP group and co-authored a critique of the federal health care proposal.

By BOB VON STERNBERG and MARK BRUNSWICK , Star Tribune

Last update: July 27, 2009 - 9:35 PM

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In a twin boost to his growing national political profile, Gov. Tim Pawlenty got a new bully pulpit Monday and issued a joint report on health care with a U.S. Republican House leader.

Pawlenty, who has already crammed his schedule full of national appearances, was elected vice-chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a post he can use to boost the campaigns of 39 GOP candidates in elections this year and next.

The visibility of the position also allows him to burnish his own credentials as a next-generation Republican leader -- and possibly help him position himself for a presidential run in 2012.

Pawlenty's decision to forgo a reelection bid next year has been widely seen as clearing the way for a bid for the presidency, although he has remained mum about his plans.

Pawlenty also was listed as the co-author of a Republican health care critique with U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. The 19-page report warned of the "Washington takeover of health care," relying on information provided by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the president of the Republican Governors Association, on Monday praised Pawlenty for his ability "to win in a so-called purple state."

In a prepared statement, Barbour added, "Pawlenty has been a leader in the effort to grow the Republican Party beyond our traditional base while remaining true to our principles." He also cited Pawlenty's history of budget-cutting and his hard line against raising taxes, hallmarks of Pawlenty's two terms as governor.

Pawlenty has been traveling the country this summer in speeches designed to rally his embattled party while at the same time introducing himself to party activists who don't know him.

Later this week, he is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Republican National Committee's meeting in San Diego.

The health care report Pawlenty wrote with Boehner was released Monday by an organization called GOP State Solutions.

Touting what he called "nation-leading reforms that have begun to rein in the growing costs of health care" in Minnesota, Pawlenty said in the report that a national health care system should be market-driven, patient-centered and quality focused, terms he has used repeatedly in dealing with health care in Minnesota.

Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner's office, said congressional Republicans have teamed with other GOP governors and state legislators on reports to provide "an outside the Beltway perspective on issues."

Other Republican governors who have contributed to reports from the organization include Barbour and Indiana's Mitch Daniels, both considered potential presidential candidates.

The report offered a mix of previous GOP reform proposals, including tax cuts, deductions and small subsidies for low-income and elderly people.

Last week, Pawlenty criticized the Massachusetts model for health care reform, which he said has proven too costly -- a significant reference to work done under former Gov. Mitt Romney, considered one of the front-runners for the 2012 GOP Presidential race.

Bob Von Sternberg • 612-673-7184 Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636

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